Means for the treatment of liquid to effect cooling,warming,vaporization,separation,purification and the like

ABSTRACT

A device for the treatment of liquids comprising a drum mounted for rotational movement at a rate sufficient to generate centrifugal force greater than that of gravity, whereby the liquid adheres as layer on the outer periphery of the drum and means communicating the outer peripheral portion of the drum with an outlet whereby the layer of liquid on the peripheral surface of the drum separates in response to gravity during rotational movement of the drum with the heavier and colder liquid adjacent the outer peripheral surface, with the lighter and warmer liquid at the interior surface of the liquid layer to enable separation or fractionation thereof.

6 United States Patent 1 1 3,559,879

(72] Inventor Emile Bechard 5 R fe e Ci d UNITED STATES PATENTS [21]Appl, No. 810,393 I 7 Filed Juy 5 968 2,623,580 12/1952 Arnaud 159/6Division of Ser. p Brownell .7 No. 3396.088 3,273,631 9/1966 Neurnan233/11 [45] Pa en 1971 Primary Examiner-Robert W1 Jenkins [73] AssigneeRene G. L fl X Anomey0oms, McDougall, Hersh, Scott & Ladd ABSTRACT: Adevice for the treatment of liquids comprising a drum mounted forrotational movement at a rate sufficient 1 MEANSOFTO tzhsrx'iaizztztsziriztss zif $52,112? 25 refs;

ING VAPORIZATION y q p y EFFECT COOLING WARM THE IKE the drum and meanscommunicating the outer peripheral por- Q U Q iS AND L tion of the drumwith an outlet whereby the layer of liquid on 7 Chums l1 Drawmg theperipheral surface of the drum separates in response to [52] US. Cl233/11, gravity during rotational movement of the drum with the 159/6heavier and colder liquid adjacent the outer peripheral sur- [51] Int.Cl B04b 15/02 face, with the lighter and warmer liquid at the interiorsurface [50] Field of Search 233/11,46, of the liquid layer to enableseparation or fractionation thereof.

PATENTEU FEB 212m SHEEI 3 [IF 5 PATENTEU FEB 2197! SiEEY '& BF 5 MEANSFOR THE TREATMENT OF LIQUID TO EFFECT COOLING, WARMING, VAPORIZATION.SEPARATION, PURIFICATION AND THE LIKE This is a division of my copendingapplication Ser. No. 356,434,filed Apr. l, l964,now US. Pat. No.3,396,088 and entitled Rotary Multi-Compartment Distillation Drum HavingRadially Adjustable Outlet to Vary Thickness of'Liquid Layer."

This invention relates to the treatment of water in such processes asconcentration, distillation, condensation and refrigeration, and itrelates more particularly to methods and equipment for use in thepractice of same.

Whether it is a question of heat exchangers or distillation apparatus,such equipment is usually very large, heavy and cumbersome. In themajority of cases, distillation apparatus requires heating, as by steammade available from a boiler.

If the efficiency of each machine is considered, the total efficiency ispoor. For example, an efficiency of 0.70 at the boiler and 0.80 at theconcentrator, would give a total efficiency of O.7X0.8,0r 0.56.

In accordance with the present invention, all of the elements aregrouped as one whereby a higher efficiency can be achieved. The use ofcentrifugal force to enhance heat transfer allows for considerableoutput per unit surface area.

The aggregate of these elements allows for the satisfaction of thevarious requirements with a minimum amount of floor space and with costsreduced to a minimum insofar as investments and exploitation areconcerned.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved method andmeans for carrying out such water treatment processes and to providemore efficient and better equipment and method for effecting the same.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention willhereinafter appear, and for purposes of illustration, but not oflimitation, an embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. I is a schematic sectional view taken crosswise through the centerof apparatus embodying features of this invention showing the operatingprinciples of a centrifugal concentrator, a regulator and control forthe filling operation;

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of a portion of the apparatus usedfor large volumes of liquid and vapor, as needed when substantialsupplies thereof are alternately required;

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing a lamellar exchangeradapted to be heated or cooled by an auxiliary liquid;

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of a portion of the equipment shownin FIG. I but in which the annular body is replaced by a group of pipes;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken crosswise through a half section of theapparatus shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view showing a heat exchanger with aspiral group of pipes positioned adjacent the inner surface of theapparatus and immersed in the liquid;

FIG. 7 is a sectional elevational view similar to that of FIG. 6 butshowing a modification thereof with spiral pipes mounted tangential tothe liquid to be heated or cooled;

FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view of an exchanger in which one of thefluids is a vapor, air or gas adapted to circulate freely on thesurfaces of the liquid to be heated, cooled or evaporated;

FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view showing the use of a syphon orladle to extract the treated or surplus liquids while in motion;

FIG. 10 is a schematic section view which, in the upper portion, showsthe principle of an exchanger with a padding or thermal insulation toexclude the risks of localized heat, especially in concentrating viscousmaterials which are sensitive to temperature variations and which, inthe lower portion, shows a conical bowl containing a reserve of materialto be treated;

FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional view showing an embodim'ent of theinvention in methodic circulation of the heating and cooling gases andthe circulation of the liquids to be heated, vaporized or cooled;

These FIGS. are not restrictive, especially not as to dimensions, and incertain cases they may be combined. For example, one device will producea fluid, another will use it and a third will make an inverse thermalexchange, by condensing a vapor or by cooling a liquid.

In the same way, all materials, metals or compatible substances, withthe pressures. temperatures, the aggressivity of the products or themechanical resistances, may be used.

Finally, the communicating gear may be any of the known methods,mechanical, thermal or electrical, by belts, chains or grooved pulleys.

DESCRIPTION To obtain the centrifugal force used to accelerate thethermal exchanges or to localize them, all these embodiments revolveabout an axis A-A, supported by ball or roller bearings, or pads I.

They are activated by pulleys 2 mounted on the central shafts 3 for thesingle rotation machines, and the pulleys 4 mounted on the encasedshafts 5 for the machines with two concentric rotations.

All these machines include a bowl, drum or rotor 6 rotated by the shaft3 or by the sockets 5 according to the requirements of the procedureused.

This principle element 6 is often supplemented by the annular chamber 7on the intake side for the product to be treated and a chamber 8 on theoutlet side for the products of liquids that have been treated.

The rotors 8 and the annular chambers 7 and 8 are assembled by the discs9 which make them integrated with the driving shaft. These discs aredrilled with holes 10 for the communication between these elements. Incertain cases, these discs are replaced by arms 11.

The arrival of the liquids to be treated is effected by a pipe 12 whenthe feed is natural, without pressure, or by a drilling 13 in the shaft3 and by the interposition of a stuffing box for the feed of liquidsunder pressure. These drillings communicate with the intake chamber orthermal exchange chambers by the orifices 14.

In installations containing one or more coils 15, these drillings on theshaft communicate with the one or more coils. When this or these coilsare not applied to the inner wall of the bowl, they are supported bysquirrel cage bars 16.

The extraction of the heated, cooled or concentrated liquid is made bythe syphons or ladles I7 fixed or adjustable by screws and steeringwheels when under pressure 18, or by the drillings 19 and theinterpositon of a stuffing box for an outlet under pressure. If there isa need to produce a vapor at a pressure higher than that of theatmosphere, it may be received in a casing 20, and its outlet may befacilitated by extractor pipes 21, then directed to other utilizationsor treatments by the pipe 22.

In the exchangers with large volumes of liquids and vapor, so as not todisturb the exchanges in course, the liquid to be treated is admitted ina circular sheet, formed by the interposition of a disc 23.

In the embodiments with groups of pipes parallel to the axis, or spiral,these pipes 24 are encased, dudgeoned, expanded or set onto the plate 9.In these embodiments, the flames or heated gases pass across the groupof pipes, thus increasing the exchange surfaces.

In the lamellar embodiments, the arrangement includes an intermediatedrum 25 forming a circular space 26 with 6, in which the heating orcooling liquid circulates. The surplus inside volume is filled by a drum27 leaving between 25 a sheet of liquid 28 which will rapidly circulate,in any case with the least inertia that could come from a large volume.

The submerged pipes 15 tangential to the drum 6 allow the instantaneousheating of all the volume in the course of treatment, on the other hand,in the arrangements with the pipes tangential to the liquid, supportedby the arms 1 6, only the inside surface of the top of the liquid isheated, thus bringing no easy evaporation, water for example, which willproduce a l vapor 32.

For semiliquid or viscous products. the inlet will be effected by afunnel 37. They will be regularly advanced by a screw 34 which will leadthem into the treating chamber 35. In this chamber a screw 36 revolvesslowly which advances the products in proportion as the liquid that theycontained is vaporized, extracted by 29. whereas the products areextracted by 37.

To achieve rigorously methodic thermal exchange, that is to say, countercurrent, in which the heated fluid circulates in the opposite directionto the cold fluid, so as to maintain constant the maximum divergencebetween them, on the collector, rotor, bowl or drum, pipes are mounted,called hairpin pipes.

The arm on the inlet side of the liquid does not pass beyond theinterior of the thickness of the collector 6. The other arm, that on theoutlet side of the heated fluid, on the other hand, continues through tothe interior of the liquid layer 39. The heated liquid or the formedvapor will escape by means of the passages 19, to be directed to itsuse, passing through the fixed piping by means of a conventionalstuffing box.

As far as the flames or the heated gas are concerned, which are admittedat 40, they go through to the revolving chamber 41; this chamberrevolving with the rotor 6 and the pipes 38 avoids whirls. Thus thegases circulate freely to leave at 42, aspirated by the ventilator 32.

This invention can use all known types of heating, solid (wood or coal)in a fire set under the bowl, rotor or drum, by gas or liquid fuels 43from which the flames are directly projected onto the revolvingsections, which run no risk of buming, on account of the continualmovement in front of the flame.

To retain the hot gases around the exchange elements, the latter isenclosed in a casing or housing 44.

In the cases when electrical heating is being used, the electricalresistance 45 is submerged in the liquid to be heated, or supported bythe squirrel cage bars when the heating should be made on the insidelayer of the liquid 46.

If heating by infrared rays is used, the ramps 47 are mounted insegments or rings around the elements to be heated, which revolves inthe center.

The residual heating gases, the saturated air or vapors are rejectedinto the open air through the chimney 48.

When it is a question of recuperating distillation gases and eventuallycondensing them, they leave by the tubulus 49 which can be connected toan apparatus in vacuo or a condenser 50.

The ribs with their developed surfaces, have the advantage, under anequal volume, of being able to increase the exchange surfaces betweenthe metal and the gases or liquids.

The ribs parallel to the axis, or in appropriately oriented spirals,have the advantage of being able to facilitate a progressive advance inthe direction of the methodic exchanges; the radial ribs, on the otherhand, circular in shape, on the inside or the outside, would stabilizebetween each circle, forming as many circular rings, which in certaincases would be detrimental to the circulation of the liquids or gases,but which in other cases allows a selection of the produced vapor.

In nearly all these embodiments having the same aim, to concentrate, todistill, to condense or to cool, the most important part is inmaintaining a constant level in the bowl, rotor or drum while assuringthe distribution of the evaporated liquids, that is to say, assuring asupply as a function of the liquid given off in the form of vapors. I

The centrifugal level or inside diameter of the liquid rim icrown) IScontrolled by a shoe or skis 52 revolving about an axis 53, which drivesa lever 54 on which a spring acts 55 which keeps the shoe constantly incontact with the liquid rim (crown).

The lever 54 transmits its movement to a rod 56 which controls a slidevalve. a tap or an electromagnetic circuit of gate valves.

To obtain an automatic operation at a determined concentration, it isnecessary to extract the concentrate as soon as the maximum desiredconcentration is obtained, which corresponds to a variation in density,which:will allow the control of an extractor 57 including a concentrateintake 58 and the outlet of the liquid 59 that has not attained thedesired concentration i The liquid having attained the maximumconcentration desired, or not to be passed, is evacuated by the base ofthe clack valve 60. The clack valve 61 having the shape of a pipe 62 isintegral with the float 63. This pipe is carefully guided by two stars63, which are similarly used to avoid whirls and giratory outflow whichcould disturb and distort the working of the float. The pipe 63 has adiameter which permits the placing of a salt gauge, acids, milk or athermometer for the controls or adjustments. It is surmounted by a tray65 allowing the placing of the weights necessary to calibrate the float.The whole unit is shut by a lid 66.

In an automatic installation for sterilizing water, producing vapor fromsalt water, the water to be treated arrives by 67 into a reservoir 68 orfeed tank of which the level is regulated by a float 69. This water,aspirated by a pump 70 is driven back towards the feed regulator 71whose opening and shutting are controlled by the skis S2. The pump isequipped with a pressure limiter to avoid any abnonnal load on the slidevalve regulator. The same motor 72 may drive the generator 6 by thechain gear 73, and the pump 70 by the gear 74. By tuming the tap 75, thevapor is directed to another treatment or'to the coolant 50.

In certain cases, it may be necessary to release under pressure a heatedliquid free of vapor which is obtained by fixing the radial plungingpipes 76, fixed in the borings 19.

During the operation, large quantity of liquid constitutes the rims(crowns) formed by centrifugal force.

The volume of the segment being smaller than that of the rims (crowns),there is an overflow, which is taken up by the pipe 77 which will leadthis liquid off to the tank 68 where it will be taken up again by thepump 70 as it is needed to compensate the vaporization.

OPERATION It is known and has been demonstrated that the density of aliquid, vapor or gas, varies with the temperature because of theincrease or dilation of a given weight, or because of its contraction orreduction in volume.

IfD" is equal to the density of a liquid at rest, water for instance at10 C or D equals 0.99907, and d the density at C =0.951, the density hasdiminished from D to d -0.999 07 to 0.95 I =0.4807.

If water at 10 C is placed in a rotor with a diameter of 0.5 meters,turning at l,000 revolutions per minute, it will be subject to anacceleration of which the vapor B is given by the simplified formulaB=1.2X0.5X(1,000/ l00) that is 56 ,thus a weight of one kilogram onbalance will effect a pull of 56 kilograms at its center of gravity, itit turns at a speed of 1,000 revolutions per minute, on a radius of 0.50meters, that is at a distance of 0.5 meters from the axis.

By applying this coefficient 56 to the differences in density, theysuccessively become 0.99907 X56 =55.94792, and 0.951 X56 =53.256, thatis a difference of 55.94792 53,256 =2.69 192.

It is easily understood and admitted, and experience has shown it to beso, that with a difference of centrifugal density of 2.69192, the waterwill separate itself in function of its density, the hottest at thecenter, and the coldest at the inside circumference of the rotor, bowlor drum.

If the heat does not act on the bowl. rotor or drum. the liquid has norelatlve radial movement between the inside layer and the inside of thecasing.

If. on the other hand, the casing 6 rs heated. whatever the source ofheat, the water for example that is in contact with the outside casingwill become lighter proportionally to the heat received, its densitywill diminish; this diminution multiplied by the coefficient B 56 in theabove example will cause such a lightening that it will come rapidlynearer to the center, giving place to colder water, whence anaccelerated convection. This accelerated convection allows the obtainingof very considerable thermal exchanges per surface unit.

Another phenomenon improves the production, the suppression of the film,called the contact which disturbs the exchanges, the liquids being badconductors.

in the present invention the elements 6, 7 and 8 form an aggregate ofthree compartments revolving together, separated by the partitions 9 butcommunicating between themselves by the orifices it) placed as near aspossible to the outside.

The water taken into l2 will be distributed in the rim (crown) if theaggregate revolves until the level is limited by the syphon or ladle 17.From that moment the level will be stable, regulated by the shoe S2 andthe surplus extracted by 17.

As long as the heating does not intervene, there will be no change ofmovement in the liquid.

The lighting of the burner 43 will cause a rise in temperature of thewater contained in the central body 6. The rise in temperature willcause a formation of vapor, which before escaping at 19 will betransformed by an elevation of pressure in the body 6; this pressurewill be balanced by the centrifugal force, acting on the water containedin the bodies 7 and 8, which stay at atmospheric pressure.

The pressure of the vapor will cause a difference of level H" incentrifugal value, that is under pressure B XH XR Xd, this being persquare centimeter, the center of gravity of this column being H/a,thedistance R being the radius of rotation of this liquid column, thedensity being expressed in kilograms per cubic centimeter.

This contribution of heat which will make the liquid lighter on contactwith the heated wall, will force it closer to the center with a speedincreased by the acceleration B, a colder liquid will take its place,whence the accelerated convection.

The effects of centrifugal force on the thermal exchanges may bestrictly and rigorously controlled locally by the use of pipes orconcentric drums 60, 25, 27, which bring liquids to differenttemperatures causing the exchanges.

The terminal compartments 7 and 8 being in relation with the atmosphericpressure, this type of exchanger is strictly explosion-proof. In fact asudden or abnormal excess of pressure in compartment 6 will force theliquids from compartments 7 and 8, thanks to the free passages 10.

In the case of the slowing down of the speed of rotation, thecentrifugal force diminishes and at the same time so does the pressurein compartment 6.

In the case of the machine stopping, at least half of the passages 10are immediately in contact with the atmosphere.

In the case of stoppage of the supply of the liquid to be heated orevaporated, the pressure diminishes at the same time as the thickness ofthe liquid rim (crown) to be eliminated when the passages 10 are opened.

Heating without a liquid presents no danger on account of the rotationwhich assures distribution by avoiding bumouts.

When the principle is used to concentrate, to distill or to dry liquidscontaining solid elements, that may be centrifuged, it is necessary toremove and to extract these elements before they can form a layer orcrust stuck to the inside of the bowl 6, isolating and risking burnouts;this removal is assured by the screws 34 and 35, to be evacuated,concentrated or dried by the centrifugal extractor 37 when theevaporated liquid is extracted by the ventilator 29.

For products that are fragile and sensitive to heat, the liquid padding31 is used, whose vapor 32 heats the cylinder 30.

As the vapor 32 cools, giving up its heat, it becomes heavier, evencondenses and returns to a liquid state 31, thus forming a cycle havinga great regularity, hence the slight temperature variations.

It will be understood that changes may be made in the details ofconstruction, arrangement and operation without departing from thespirit of the invention, especially as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A device for treatment of fluids and liquids comprising a drummounted for rotational movement about an axis, means for rapidlyrotating the drum about its axis at a rate sufficient to generatecentrifugal force greater than that of gravity to cause liquid in thedrum to adhere as a layer to the outer periphery of the drum duringrotational movement, an axial inlet opening communicating the one end ofthe drum, an axial outlet opening communicating with the other end ofthe drum, a baffle plate fixed for rotational movement with the drum inclosely spaced relation with the inlet end of the drum, said baffleplate having a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the drumthereby to provide a spaced relationship therebetween for the flow ofliquid therethrough from the inlet opening into the drum wherebyentrance of the liquid into the drum is confined to the outer peripheralportion of the drum and means for heating the liquid in the drumwhereby, during rotational movement of the drum, the layer of liquid onthe peripheral surface of the drum will separate in response to gravitywith the heavier and colder liquid adjacent the outer periphery of thedrum and the lighter and hotter liquid at the interior surface of theliquid layer.

2. A device for the treatment of openings in the inner walls of the drumand liquids comprising a pair of laterally spaced apart drums mountedfor rotational movement about a common axis, means for rapidly rotatingthe drums about the axis at a rate sufficient to generate centrifugalforce greater than that of gravity to cause liquid in the drum to adhereas a wall to the outer periphery of the drum during rotational movement,laterally spaced apart outer and inner openings in the peripheral endportion of the inner walls of the axially spaced apart drums, pipesextending axially between axially aligned openings in the inner walls ofthe drum with the outer pipes communicating the outermost openings andthe inner pipes communicating the innermost openings, a stationary inletextending into one of the drums for introduction of liquid into saiddrum, a stationary outlet extending into the other drum with means forradial adjustment of the inlet to said outlet means to a positioninwardly of the innermost openings to maintain a layer of liquid againstthe peripheral wall of the drums having a thickness to extend beyond theinnermost of said openings, a vapor outlet in communication with theinterior of said drums, and means for passage of heat exchange fluid orgas in heat exchange relation with said pipes whereby, during rotationalmovement of the drum, the wall of liquid on the peripheral surface ofthe drum will separate in response to gravity with the colder andheavier liquid in the outer portion of the layer and the hotter andlighter liquid in the inner portion of the layer.

3. A device for the treatment of liquid comprising an outer drum mountedfor rotational movement about its axis, means for rapidly rotating thedrum about its axis at a rate sufficient to generate a centrifugal forcegreater than that of gravity, an inner drum spaced concentrically withthe outer drum and mounted for movement with the outer drum, anintermediate drum concentrically arranged between the inner and outerdrums and spaced therefrom to provide an outer annular space between theintermediate drum and the outer drum and an inner annular space betweenthe intermediate drum and the inner drum, a stationary inlet extendinginto the outer annular space at one end of the drums, a stationaryoutlet extending into the outer annular space at the other end of thedrums, an inlet in communication with the inner annular space at theother end of the drums, and an outlet in communication with the innerannular space at the one end of the drum for flow of liquid through theinner space countercurrent to the flow of liquid through the outerannular space, and means for heating one of the liquids whereby. duringrotational movement of the drums, the layer of liquid will separate inresponse to gravitational force with the colder and heavier liquidoutermost in the layer and the lighter and hotter liquid innermost inthe layer.

4. A device for the treatment of liquid comprising a drum offrustoconical shape mounted for rotational movement about an axis, meansfor rotating the drum about its axis at a rate sufficient to generatecentrifugal force greater than that of gravity, axially spaced radiallyextending bars adjacent the opposite ends of the drum, a stationaryinlet extending into the drum at the larger end thereof for introductionof liquid to be treated, a stationary outlet extending into the smallerend of the drum with means for radial adjustment of the inlet to saidoutlet means for adjusting the thickness of the layer of liquid adheringto the outer peripheral surface of the drum during rotational movementof the drum, coils about the inner periphery of the conically shapeddrum within the thickness of the layer of liquid about the drum duringrotational movement of the drum and rotatable with the drum, an inlet incommunication with one end of the coils and an outlet in communicationwith the other end of the coils, means for circulating liquid from theinlet to the outlet of the coils for passage in indirect heat exchangewith the liquid layer on the periphery of the drum during rotationalmovement, and means for maintaining the thickness of the layer of theliquid in the drum to submerge the coils in the liquid layer duringrotational movement of the drum whereby, during rotational movement ofthe drum, the layer of liquid will separate in response to gravitationalforce with the heavier and colder liquid outermost in the layer and thelighter and hotter liquid innermost in the layer.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4 in which the coils are arranged withinthe drum concentric with the axis thereof and spaced inwardly from thewall by an amount greater than the wall of liquid on the outer surfaceof the drum during rotational movement of the drum whereby the coils arerotated within the space occupied by the vapor given off from theliquid.

6. A device for the treatment of fluids, a drum mounted for rotationalmovement about an axis, means for rapidly rotating the drum about itsaxis at a rate sufficient to generate centrifu' gal force greater thanthat of gravity whereby liquid in the drum forms as a wall on thesurface of the drum during rotational movement, a bowl within the drummounted for rotational movement therewith about the same axis with theends of the bowl joined to the end walls of the drum to subdivide thedrum into an outer casing and an interior compartment open at theopposite axial ends, inlet means for feeding a viscous material into theinterior compartment at one end thereof, outlet means at the other endof the compartment for removal of viscous material, vapor outletmeans incommunication with the one end of the interior compartment, a screwextending axially through the interior compartment for displacement ofviscous material axially through the compartment from the inlet end tothe outlet end in heat exchange relation with the surface of therotating bowl and means for circulating heating fluid through the outercasing in heat exchange relationship with the bowl for heat transfertherebetween.

7. A device for the treatment of fluids comprising a drum mounted forrotational movement about an axis, means for rapidly rotating the drumat a rate sufficient to generate a centrifugal force greater than thatof gravity, an outlet at one end of the drum for introduction of liquidto be treated, a vapor outlet in communication with a central portion ofthe drum for exhausting vapors given off by the liquid in the drum, aplurality of U-shaped tubular members each having an inlet end and anoutlet end with the inlet ends in communication with the outer portionof the wall of liquid on the surface of the drum during rotationalmovement of the drum and with the inlet ends spaced radially inwardlyfrom the outlet end for termination within the wall of liquid on theperiphery of the drum whereby the colder li uid of higher specificgravity flows through the tubes from t e inlet end to the outlet end, anouter casing about the rotating drum and coils, and means forcirculating a heat exchange medium through the space between the casingand the drum for heat exchange with the liquid passing through saidtubular members during rotational movement with the drum.

2. A device for the treatment of openings in the inner walls of the drumand liquids comprising a pair of laterally spaced apart drums mountedfor rotational movement about a common axis, means for rapidly rotatingthe drums about the axis at a rate sufficient to generate centrifugalforce greater than that of gravity to cause liquid in the drum to adhereas a wall to the outer periphery of the drum during rotational movement,laterally spaced apart outer and inner openings in the peripheral endportion of the inner walls of the axially spaced apart drums, pipesextending axially between axially aligned openings in the inner Walls ofthe drum with the outer pipes communicating the outermost openings andthe inner pipes communicating the innermost openings, a stationary inletextending into one of the drums for introduction of liquid into saiddrum, a stationary outlet extending into the other drum with means forradial adjustment of the inlet to said outlet means to a positioninwardly of the innermost openings to maintain a layer of liquid againstthe peripheral wall of the drums having a thickness to extend beyond theinnermost of said openings, a vapor outlet in communication with theinterior of said drums, and means for passage of heat exchange fluid orgas in heat exchange relation with said pipes whereby, during rotationalmovement of the drum, the wall of liquid on the peripheral surface ofthe drum will separate in response to gravity with the colder andheavier liquid in the outer portion of the layer and the hotter andlighter liquid in the inner portion of the layer.
 3. A device for thetreatment of liquid comprising an outer drum mounted for rotationalmovement about its axis, means for rapidly rotating the drum about itsaxis at a rate sufficient to generate a centrifugal force greater thanthat of gravity, an inner drum spaced concentrically with the outer drumand mounted for movement with the outer drum, an intermediate drumconcentrically arranged between the inner and outer drums and spacedtherefrom to provide an outer annular space between the intermediatedrum and the outer drum and an inner annular space between theintermediate drum and the inner drum, a stationary inlet extending intothe outer annular space at one end of the drums, a stationary outletextending into the outer annular space at the other end of the drums, aninlet in communication with the inner annular space at the other end ofthe drums, and an outlet in communication with the inner annular spaceat the one end of the drum for flow of liquid through the inner spacecountercurrent to the flow of liquid through the outer annular space,and means for heating one of the liquids whereby, during rotationalmovement of the drums, the layer of liquid will separate in response togravitational force with the colder and heavier liquid outermost in thelayer and the lighter and hotter liquid innermost in the layer.
 4. Adevice for the treatment of liquid comprising a drum of frustoconicalshape mounted for rotational movement about an axis, means for rotatingthe drum about its axis at a rate sufficient to generate centrifugalforce greater than that of gravity, axially spaced radially extendingbars adjacent the opposite ends of the drum, a stationary inletextending into the drum at the larger end thereof for introduction ofliquid to be treated, a stationary outlet extending into the smaller endof the drum with means for radial adjustment of the inlet to said outletmeans for adjusting the thickness of the layer of liquid adhering to theouter peripheral surface of the drum during rotational movement of thedrum, coils about the inner periphery of the conically shaped drumwithin the thickness of the layer of liquid about the drum duringrotational movement of the drum and rotatable with the drum, an inlet incommunication with one end of the coils and an outlet in communicationwith the other end of the coils, means for circulating liquid from theinlet to the outlet of the coils for passage in indirect heat exchangewith the liquid layer on the periphery of the drum during rotationalmovement, and means for maintaining the thickness of the layer of theliquid in the drum to submerge the coils in the liquid layer duringrotational movement of the drum whereby, during rotational movement ofthe drum, the layer of liquid will separate in response to gravitationalforce with the heavier and colder liquid outermost in the layer and thelighter and hotter liquid innermost in the layer.
 5. A device as claimedin claim 4 in which the coils are arranged within the drum concentricwith the axis thereof and spaced inWardly from the wall by an amountgreater than the wall of liquid on the outer surface of the drum duringrotational movement of the drum whereby the coils are rotated within thespace occupied by the vapor given off from the liquid.
 6. A device forthe treatment of fluids, a drum mounted for rotational movement about anaxis, means for rapidly rotating the drum about its axis at a ratesufficient to generate centrifugal force greater than that of gravitywhereby liquid in the drum forms as a wall on the surface of the drumduring rotational movement, a bowl within the drum mounted forrotational movement therewith about the same axis with the ends of thebowl joined to the end walls of the drum to subdivide the drum into anouter casing and an interior compartment open at the opposite axialends, inlet means for feeding a viscous material into the interiorcompartment at one end thereof, outlet means at the other end of thecompartment for removal of viscous material, vapor outlet means incommunication with the one end of the interior compartment, a screwextending axially through the interior compartment for displacement ofviscous material axially through the compartment from the inlet end tothe outlet end in heat exchange relation with the surface of therotating bowl and means for circulating heating fluid through the outercasing in heat exchange relationship with the bowl for heat transfertherebetween.
 7. A device for the treatment of fluids comprising a drummounted for rotational movement about an axis, means for rapidlyrotating the drum at a rate sufficient to generate a centrifugal forcegreater than that of gravity, an outlet at one end of the drum forintroduction of liquid to be treated, a vapor outlet in communicationwith a central portion of the drum for exhausting vapors given off bythe liquid in the drum, a plurality of U-shaped tubular members eachhaving an inlet end and an outlet end with the inlet ends incommunication with the outer portion of the wall of liquid on thesurface of the drum during rotational movement of the drum and with theinlet ends spaced radially inwardly from the outlet end for terminationwithin the wall of liquid on the periphery of the drum whereby thecolder liquid of higher specific gravity flows through the tubes fromthe inlet end to the outlet end, an outer casing about the rotating drumand coils, and means for circulating a heat exchange medium through thespace between the casing and the drum for heat exchange with the liquidpassing through said tubular members during rotational movement with thedrum.